SAWIP Team of 2014

Erwyn Durman

University of Pretoria – Bachelor of Law

Erwyn is currently a third year LLB (law) student at the University of Pretoria. In 2012 he graduated with a BSc medical sciences and is a member of the Golden Key Society for Agricultural sciences. He is a former Chairman and RAG house committee member of Huis Taaibos. He is currently involved in an Eldership program at the university that aims to build leaders but also to mentor current Chairpersons. Philanthropy is his passion and he is actively involved in community service. His aspirations lie towards the field of intellectual property and patency.

Kabelo Gildenhuys

Stellenbosch University – Honours in International Studies

Kabelo is currently doing his Honours in International Studies at Stellenbosch University. He is passionate about critical conversations and believes that the only way we can create an inclusive society is through honest and continuous dialogue with one another. Among his accolades are being President of the Stellenbosch Political Science Students Association and serving as Executive Officer for the Golden Key Honours Society on that campus. As a documentary producer and participant of the Institute of Justice and Reconciliation African Identities Project, Kabelo strives to equip others with the necessary confidence and skill to formulate and share their own stories.

Brynne Guthrie

University of Pretoria – Bachelor of Law

Brynne is a third year LLB Student at the University of Pretoria. She has been on the Dean’s Merit list for the past two years and is a member of the Golden Key International Honours Society. Committed to furthering discourse, Brynne is extensively involved in debating and has coached schools debating teams at a provincial and national level. She represented the University of Pretoria at the World University Debating Championships in 2013 and is currently ranked as the best speaker in South Africa. Brynne is passionate about constitutional law, human rights and the use of critical engagement to empower people to form their own opinions and speak their minds.

Lauren Hess

Stellenbosch University – Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics

Lauren is currently in her second year of study at the University of Stellenbosch, studying a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Committed to community service, she has worked on various projects around the world from an eco-farm to working in an orphanage. Lauren currently serves on the executive committee for the United Nations Association of South Africa (Stellenbosch Chapter) and is responsible for the Computer Literacy Project, where basic computer literacy skills are taught to high school students from Kayamandi. She is also an Allan Gray Candidate Fellow where she will further her personal, academic and entrepreneurial growth.

Imaad Isaacs

University of Cape Town – Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Arabic, Film & Media Studies

Imaad graduated with a BA in Film & Television Studies and Arabic Literature at the University of Cape Town in 2013. He is currently pursuing the twin goals of completing a mathematics major and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at UCT and UNISA. Imaad is the founder of Bridging the Gap Organization, an NPO that provides educational assistance and support services to schools and learners in disadvantaged communities. His latest project was coordinated in December 2013. It sought to “convert” high school math literacy learners to pure mathematics before their matric year in 2014. He is presently structuring similar programmes for other learners. His long-term ambitions are to grow his brand of excellence and eventually open his own school.

Waiyaki "Dalisu" Jwara

University of Cape Town – Bachelor of Business Science in Finance

Dalisu is a fourth year student at the University of Cape Town. He is passionate about ethical and responsible business, empowering education, proactive leadership and solution-driven community work. He served as the Deputy Chairperson of the Black Management Forum and currently serves as the President of UCT InvestSoc – the largest student executive society in South Africa. Dalisu is also a Co-founder of AmaDODA, a national movement for men that aims to raise a generation of useful men in South Africa. AmaDODA is in response to gender violence and South Africa’s shocking rape statistics. He aspires to be an influential business man, to this end he is establishing a platform for young business leaders with the UCT GSB, and will represent South Africa in Singapore at a Global Sustainable Business Challenge.

Thato Mabudusha

University of Cape Town – Bachelor of Business Science in Marketing & Economics

Thato is a fourth year Business Science student at the University of Cape Town majoring in Marketing and Economics. She received her diploma in Business French (Level B2) in December 2012 accredited by the Paris Chambre of Commerce. Outside of her academics, Thato is passionate about sisterhood, women development and empowerment. This has inspired her to serve as the Project Manager for Young Women Professionals in 2013 and as a mentor and career coach for younger women. Her passion to see business become a form of public service and a force for good led her to volunteer as a consultant for Siyaya, a non-profit organisation that consults entrepreneurs in Khayelitsha. A lover of words, Thato enjoys writing and speaking regularly and along with a career in business and entrepreneurship, she hope to pursue this professionally.

Velani Mboweni

University of Cape Town – Bachelor of Commerce in Politics, Philosophy, & Economics

Velani is a final-year student at the University of Cape Town, where he is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce in Politics, Philosophy, & Economics. He has served his community in a number of ways and under different portfolios, including the UCT Football Club Vice-Chairperson, 2012 RAG SAX Appeal Logistics Coordinator, and 1st Year Economics tutor at Clarinus Village, UCT. He currently serves as Treasurer of InkuluFreeHeid UCT – a non-partisan youth-led social movement that aims at deepening democracy, promoting social cohesion, and addressing economic inequality. He is passionate about Africa and sees every challenge as an opportunity to learn, build, and grow. His business experience, passion, attitude to serve, and unconditional commitment to people, young and old, compels him to reach new heights. His interests range from football and philosophy to politics and innovation. An avid entrepreneur and visionary, he has worked part-time at eTranzact Global South Africa since 2010.

Lehlohonolo Mokoena

University of Pretoria – Bachelor of Commerce in Economics

Nolo is currently a final year economics student at the University of Pretoria. Passionate about leadership and development, he has served as the chairperson of the Young Economists Society of the university. He also has served first as an executive committee member then as the vice-chairperson of the student faculty house of the management and economic sciences, Commercii. A sports fan, he believes that sport can have a lasting impact on communities, and is currently serving on the Student Sport Committee as the head of projects. Nolo is passionate about university students globally and about global governance and welfare development.

Boipelo Ndlovu

University of the Western Cape – Bachelor of Law

Boipelo is currently completing her final year at the University of Western Cape. In 2012, she served as the treasurer and vice-chairperson of the Law Students Council. She has been on the Deans Top 50 program since her first year. In 2013, she was part of the Emerging Leaders Program and she also represented the University at the 23rd African Human Rights Moot Court Competition. Committed to community service and development, she has served as a member of Street Law, Boundless Heart Foundation, United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA) – University of Western Cape Chapter and now she is part of Rotaract, a Rotary International youth program. She considers herself an advocate for change and she would like to do this through Law, entrepreneurship and building a school one day.

Bongani Ndlovu

University of the Western Cape – Bachelor of Commerce in Finance

Bongani is currently completing his Bachelor degree in Finance and Economics in the Commerce faculty at the University of the Western Cape. He is currently a Golden Key member. He is also the Founding member of Waves for Change. Holding this position, he facilitated the first Charter for young leaders in Khayalitsha and Masiphumelele Township. He recently completed a case study for the Commonwealth Sport for Development working group in order to train coaches in Kenya.

Sechaba Nkitseng

University of Cape Town – Bachelor of Social Science in Economics & International Relations

Sechaba is a second year UCT student but a first year economics and international relations major. In 2013 he started a music and poetry movement, Whispers of Wisdom, which seeks to inculcate the youth and find solutions to society’s plights through art. He was part of the first-ever African team to be invited to the Russell Simmons Brave New Voices International slam poetry competition. Sechaba is passionate about transformation and he currently serves as the treasurer for the diplomacy course at UNASA-UCT. He hopes to one day work for the UN.

Sihle Nontshokweni

University of Cape Town – Masters in Political Science

Sihle is committed to service and cultural transformation. Sihle served as the President of Lunch with Ted, a society committed to creating a platform for dialogue about education, employment and African development. She further served as the events coordinator for Entrepreneurial Action (Enactus). This is an organisation that is committed to using entrepreneurship to better the standard of living of those in need. Sihle founded Value Added Today for Tomorrow (VATT), a non-profit youth organisation, aimed at empowering young people with the prerequisite knowledge to make positive decisions towards their careers. In an attempt to foster social cohesion, Sihle started cooking tours for tourists, aimed at creating a cultural experience that fosters social cohesion with the end goal of reconstructing knowledge about culture.

Joshua Nott

University of Cape Town – Bachelor of Social Science in Political Science & Law

Joshua is a third year student at the University of Cape Town, currently studying Political Science and Law. Joshua has achieved Deans Merit list academic scores since his enrollment into the university. In 2012 Joshua was elected to serve as Secretary for the South African Students Congress UCT Branch as well as the Regional Coordinator for the Southern Peninsular Region. In 2013 Joshua completed a Global Citizenship course directed at active citizenship and community service. Joshua now holds the office of Vice President for the Black Law Students Forum. A key interest and passion of Joshua’s is to see the successful transformation of South African society both socially and economically. One day he wishes to hold public office in order to steer South Africa towards its Constitutional goals.

Kessler Perumalsamy

University of the Western Cape – Bachelor of Law

Kessler is currently studying towards a degree in law at the University of the Western Cape. He is passionate about social justice and human rights and wishes to practice in this field of law some day. He has also served on various executive committees including the UWC Moot Court Society and the UWC Debating Union. A keen debater and mooter, Kessler broke 9th in the 2013 National Universities Debating Championships, and was a semi-finalist in 2013. He has also received the best speaker awards for the Kader Asmal Moot Court Competition, Center for Child Law Moot Competition, and was a finalist in the National Phillip C Jessup International Law Moot Competition. Kessler hopes to use his legal knowledge and experience to advance human rights both domestically and internationally.

Ishara Ramkissoon

Stellenbosch University – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

Ishara is currently a fifth year medical student at Stellenbosch University. Committed to student success and servant leadership, she has served for two consecutive terms on the Tygerberg Student Council for leadership and student development and currently serves as Vice Chairperson. In 2009, Ishara attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama as a South African Student Ambassador. Ishara’s passion lies in public health care and eradicating diseases in order to uplift South Africa. She would like to pursue a Masters in Public Health in the near future.

Courtney Roots

Stellenbosch University – Bachelor of Law

Courtney is a fourth year student at Stellenbosch University where, after having completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce in Law degree, is pursuing her LLB degree. She has been involved in various leadership structures on her campus and is currently serving on the Stellenbosch University Student Representative Council as Vice Chairperson of the Prim Committee, and Internal & External Relations officer. She has a great interest in the socio-economic rights of South African citizens and hopes to spread awareness about the need to focus on the socio-economic rights of disabled persons in South Africa.

Li'Tsoanelo Zwane

University of the Western Cape – Bachelor of Education

Li’Tsoanelo is currently completing her fourth year at the University of the Western Cape in pursuit of a Bachelor of Education degree. She served as the Social Media Editor, and subsequently Deputy Editor, of Live Magazine SA (a youth magazine which tackles the issues faced by South African youth). Currently serving as Vice President of the UWC chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society, which focuses on grooming leadership skills, maintaining academic excellence, and commitment to community service. Li’Tsoanelo is passionate about education and tutors remotely in her community. Upon graduation, she plans to run her own weekend school that provides educational and co-curricular support to learners.

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